Data Hub

Understanding equity through data

Data helps cities understand where equity gaps exist, track progress over time, and assess whether actions are creating meaningful change.

Through the Malmö Commitment, pioneer cities are developing locally relevant indicators to measure the equity challenges they have identified. Together, these indicators help to provide a clearer picture of local conditions and support evidence-based action.

Explore how cities are measuring equity

Pioneer cities are developing locally relevant indicators to better understand equity in their communities: from access to affordable housing and healthy food to proximity to nature, inclusive transport and a just transition.

We invite you to explore the data they are measuring and the insights it reveals.

01 September 2026

Data spotlight: Inclusive Housing

How to read the data

Context matters.

The indicators featured in this data hub reflect equity challenges defined locally by participating cities. They show how each city understands and measures equity in its own context and are not intended for direct comparison between cities.

Understanding target groups is key.

Some communities face greater barriers to opportunities, resources, and services than others. Access can vary significantly across a city, with lower-income and disadvantaged populations often concentrated in areas where housing is more affordable but services, infrastructure and opportunities may be less available. Identifying the groups and districts most affected helps cities understand where inequalities exist and whose needs should be prioritized.

The equity lens comes from the data.

Sustainability indicators can reveal these differences when data is disaggregated by relevant target groups or analysed across districts. For example, data on inclusive public transport can show not only overall access, but whether it differs between population groups or priority districts.

View the indicators

Affordable housing
- Housing cost trends: Price development for home (house/flat)
  purchase and rents, annual comparison
- Housing cost burden: % of income households pay for housing
- Homelessness: % of population in temporary housing or without shelter
- Homeownership: % of home owners vs. occupants
- Household overcrowding: % of population living in
  overcrowded conditions
Energy access
- Energy burden: % of income households pay for energy bills (electricity, heating) and # of correlated illnesses
- % of (social?) housing with energy efficiency standards and PV installations in priority districts / neighborhoods
- # of households with access to sustainable, low-emissions heating/cooking technologies by target group
Inclusive land use
- Mix of land uses: proximity to a mix of housing, employment, services, and amenities in priority districts / neighborhoods
- % of land area for sustainable transportation in priority districts / neighborhoods
- Construction of urban ventilation corridors in priority districts / neighborhoods
Inclusive buildings and public spaces
- % of housing with sustainability standards in priority districts / neighborhoods
- Accessibility of buildings / public spaces
- Actual and perceived safety of public spaces
- Proximity of cultural and recreational activities in priority districts / neighborhoods
Food access
- Food insecurity: % of households / children prone to food insecurity due to lack of financial resources
- Access to healthy and affordable food: Proximity of grocery stores/supermarkets/farmers markets within a convenient distance in priority districts / neighborhoods
- % of public school meals following health and sustainability standards in priority districts / neighborhoods
Nature access
- Access to green spaces / tree canopy in priority districts / neighborhoods
- Access to protected areas and waterways in priority districts / neighborhoods
- # of municipal activities to improve green space accessibility in priority districts / neighborhoods
- # and diversity of participants in activities to raise awareness, visibility and training on nature conservation
Equitable waste management
- Access to public waste management system per district / neighborhood
- # of economic opportunities created per target group
Just transition
- Proximity to jobs / economic activities per district / neighborhood
- Gender balance / diversity per economic sector
- # of education / job training opportunities in the sustainability sector by target group
Socially just climate action
- # of climate related illnesses
- Access to climate adaptation measures (cool spaces and other extreme weather protection measures)
- City spendings for socially just climate action
Inclusive sustainable transport
- Coverage of sustainable mobility (public transport, bikeways, bicycle sharing) by district / neighborhood
- # of users of sustainable options (public transport, bikeways, bicycle sharing) by target group
- # of traffic accidents